Heard in the Cheap Seats

 Here’s the thing: if you listen to the local media, you would think that the season would be deemed a success if the Eagles somehow manage to upset the defending Super Bowl champs.  Not true.  If the Eagles pull off the upset tomorrow, they will be right where most of us thought they would be when the season started.  No better, no worse. 

The fact that the season was chock full of turmoil does not warrant these decreased expectations.  Most are viewing this through the lens of the nearly impossible scenario that propelled the Eagles into the playoffs.  In reality, all we have seen lately is a team finally playing up to its potential.  So enough with the hyperbole—let’s evaluate this game for what it is—a divisional playoff game against a hated opponent.

Now, before I get on to my game prediction, let’s take a look at what other media and bloggers are predicting for this game.

BigBlue101 has the Giants Giants winning in a two-score game, 24-13

• Bleeding Green Nation has the Birds winning by the same score as the previous matchup, 20-14
•  Big Blue View has the Giants winning a tight contest, 24-20
•  The 700 Level thinks the Eagles will win
•  Inside the Iggles has the Eagles winning 20-16
•  The entire ESPN countdown crew is picking the Giants
•  Our own Paul Domowitch has the Giants winning 10-9

You get the picture right?  Most purported experts are going with the GMen to win this contest.  Already in my four-part analysis, I’ve indicated that the Giants hold the edge on special teams and intangibles, and it is close to a wash when the Eagles have the ball.  I do think the Eagles defense will be able to slow down the Giants vaunted running attack.  All I have heard all week is about how jacked up Brandon Jacobs is for this game.  I’ve got news for him; there is a guy on the Eagles defense that will be wearing #20 that will be equally fired up for this game.

Keys to the Game:

1.)     Stop Brandon Jacobs: As I mentioned above, I think the Eagles will be able to limit his production.  Without having to worry about Plaxico Burress, the Eagles will put eight in the box to slow down Jacobs.

2.)     Get After Eli: Eli exercised his demons last year with a Super Bowl victory but he is still prone to a mistake when pressure is in his face.  On occasion, he slips into his old habit of throwing off his back foot.  The task won’t be easy, as the Giants have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, but if they are able to reach Eli, they should be able to force a turnover or two.

3.)     Establish a Willingness to Run the Football: If the Eagles show the intent to run early, it will open up their passing game for later in the game.  They need to commit to a rushing attack on the first offensive position.  This will mean getting Correll Buckhlater involved in the action to lighten Westbrook’s load.

4.)     Protect McNabb: The Eagles have been able to do this with astonishing success in the previous two matchups and they will need to do so again tomorrow.  If they give McNabb time, there will be room to throw in the Giants secondary. 

This will be a hard-fought game that will live up to all of the hype it has received.  Like many NFC-East battles, I anticipate a knock-em-down, drag-em-out battle.

My prediction?  Eagles live to play another day: Eagles 17, Giants 13